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NARFEQuestion: I'm interested in enrolling in the new Self Plus One option being offered in this year's Federal Benefits Open Season to cover myself and my wife. If I take this coverage and predecease my wife, will she be able to continue coverage under the Federal Employees Health Benefits Program? I've heard conflicting information on this from both my plan and other retirees.READ MORE

The Hill Lawmakers are preparing for an end-of-the-year dash as they return to Washington with little time to tackle a handful of policy fights.
Congress will be under pressure to wrap up work on a full plate of divisive issues after members return from a weeklong Thanksgiving recess. Both chambers are expected to be in session for approximately 15 days, giving them limited time to send legislation to President Barack Obama's desk or be forced to kick the can to January.READ MORE

Government ExecutiveWhen shopping for health insurance, there are many moving parts and many choices to make, which can make this a complicated and frustrating exercise. Don't become paralyzed by all the options.
There are other psychological reasons why we are resistant to change. READ MORE

The Washington PostThe Obama administration is preparing an executive order designed to bolster the government's Senior Executive Service with increased compensation, a streamlined hiring process and greater diversity in assignments.
Its 7,000-plus members are top level civil servants whose leadership is critical to federal agencies. But that status has not stopped problems stemming from sluggish pay raises and congressional attacks.READ MORE

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Government ExecutiveThe new law providing a full year's sick leave up front to new federal employees who are disabled veterans only applies to those hired on, or after Nov. 5, 2016.
The 2015 Wounded Warriors Federal Leave Act gives 104 hours of sick leave up front to first-year feds who are vets with a service-connected disability rating of at least 30 percent to attend medical appointments related to their disability.READ MORE

Detroit Free PressWant to get baby boomers and their parents grumbling about Social Security? It's been easy to do that lately.
First, retirees won't see any bump in their Social Security checks in 2016 for a cost-of-living adjustment. We've seen this happen twice before — 2010 and 2011 — when retirees have not seen any inflation-adjusted boost to Social Security checks in the New Year.READ MORE

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Special Discount for NARFE Members!As a member of NARFE, you could qualify for a special discount on car insurance with GEICO. Simply go online or call 1-800-368-2734, to complete a simple, no-obligation rate quote. Don’t forget to mention your NARFE membership to see how much you could save with your special member discount.

EatClean.com via Fox NewsYou know that having a double-shot latte after 4 p.m. or plowing through too much sugary dessert will keep you from snagging a solid eight hours of sleep. What you probably don't realize is that there are a number of nutritious foods — ones that doctors and dietitians agree are part of a healthy, varied diet — that could be to blame if you're tossing and turning at night.READ MORE

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Cover Your Eyes With GEBADiscover why federal employees choose Government Employees’ Benefit Association (GEBA) for their vision insurance needs. Compare our vision plans to others available to you and you’ll see GEBA is the clear choice for your vision insurance coverage.

ForbesThink you only need a passport to board an international flight? In 2016, some fliers better have one to fly domestic, which means they had better be paying their taxes. It now looks as though your passport could be cancelled if you owe the IRS. The Real ID Act created a national standard for state-issued IDs. It hits air travel in 2016. READ MORE

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The Dallas Morning NewsRoberton Williams' plan was to retire on his government pension and take a part-time job to make up the difference in salary. It didn’t quite work out that way. Williams, 68, did retire but then started another full-time job with the Tax Policy Center, a Washington think tank. He's far from an aberration. Many aging baby boomers are caught between a desire to work less and a labor market that just isn't ready to let them go.READ MORE

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Save with Aetna DirectFederal retirees: The Aetna DirectSM plan comes with lower premiums, waived deductibles and coinsurance, and a fund to help you pay for Medicare Part B.MORE

CNNDeep in the recesses of most people's refrigerators lives a half-eaten bottle of salsa, some takeout Chinese food and last week's chicken dinner. Pulling one of those things out, you wonder: Can I eat it? Is it safe? A lot of commercially prepared items, such as sauces and condiments, have best-by dates on the packaging to ensure flavor, not safety, according to the U.S. Department of Agriculture.READ MORE

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Disclaimer: The articles that appear in NARFE NewsWatch are chosen from a variety of sources to reflect topics of interest to active and retired federal employees. With the exception of Federal Benefits Question of the Week, News From NARFE and State Advocacy News, an article's inclusion in NARFE NewsWatch does not imply that the National Active and Retired Federal Employees Association (NARFE) endorses, supports or verifies its contents or expressed opinions. Factual errors are the responsibility of the listed publication.